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Garbage and recycling totals rise after automated collection; council asks staff to study leaf‑pickup options
Summary
After one year of automated collection Marion reported increases in garbage and recycling tonnages and a 31% curbside yard‑waste subscription; council asked staff to evaluate leaf‑pickup and seasonal options to address resident concerns about fall cleanup.
Solid waste staff presented a one‑year update on Marion’s automated collection program at the Dec. 16 council meeting. Matt reported garbage tonnage rose about 8.75% and recycling tonnage rose about 8.33% when comparing FY25 to FY24, and the curbside yard waste subscription serves about 4,033 residents (31%). The city currently runs four daily routes and most residents choose 64‑gallon carts.
Staff said the yard waste drop‑off site and expanded weekend/special hours have seen higher usage; they also announced a partnership to accept non‑operable batteries at the library, recycling drop‑off and landfill partner sites after trucks experienced fires when lithium batteries were disposed in carts.
Several council members and residents raised objections to perceived reductions in leaf‑pickup service compared with prior curbside allowances. Council asked staff to prepare options and cost estimates for targeted, time‑bound leaf pickup programs, expanded drop‑off hours, or on‑call week pickups, and to evaluate whether existing yard‑waste cart inventory (about 4,033 units) could be repurposed under alternative models. Staff agreed to research comparables and cost impacts for the January budget work session.
